[CholeraJoe]

remotely using totally automated controls...from Air Force One, to Looking Glass to NORAD.

I doubt the first one since reporters and other non-cleared individuals routinely fly on Air Force One. Perhaps you are thinking of the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP) pronounced Knee-cap. A specially modified Boeing 747-200, equipped with communications and satellite uplink gear as well as the ability to launch ICBMs remotely.

If you recall on 9/11/2001, the President immediately flew from Florida to Barksdale AFB, LA, where the NEACP is based, among other locations.

[COEXERJ145]

There is a video from Sept. 11th as people are running out of the White House and someone yells "My God, it's the Doomsday Plane!". Everyone, and the camera, turns to see an E-4B climbing into the sky. You could see the look of horror on everyone's faces because the only known reason to scramble that aircraft is in the event of a nuclear strike on the United States. At that time, no one was sure how bad that day was going to get. (Sept. 11th was also the only time NORAD closed their blast doors outside of training exercises.)

[Poohbah]

It's no longer NEACP--it's the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC).

Also, NAOC doesn't have the Airborne Launch Control System--that's only on the E-6B TACAMO.

[foreverfree]

If you recall on 9/11/2001, the President immediately flew from Florida to Barksdale AFB, LA, where the NEACP is based, among other locations.

That GWB didn't go right back to DC was a target of Eric Alterman's ridicule in What Liberal Media? IIRC, though not mine.

foreverfree